Heaven can wait charity sailing regatta - 3 weeks to go

Have you got your entry in yet , only 3 weeks to go before the start of the 2013 Heaven can wait charity sailing regatta

If you have not got your entry in, you need to do it now for the following reasons:

·We need to get the handicaps right and the earlier we know who is competing, the better the chances of us getting them right.

·Our promotional material highlights the opportunity to have different divisions for different classes where there are enough entries to support a separate division. In order for us to create separate divisions, we need to what the potential classes are early.

·You have the best chance of winning the ‘virtual fund raising race’ in support of the Hunter Region of the NSW Cancer Council.

By now you would be aware that this regatta is a fund raising regatta in support of the Hunter Region branch of the NSW Cancer Council. Research and assistance programs supporting breast and prostate cancer patients are well supported, and while research into the other forms of cancer - bowel, lung, brain, pancreatic and liver, have improved the survival rates, support for recovering patients – a lot of whom are men, are not at the same levels, and so our focus this year is supporting the domestic assistance programs for recovering patients with these sorts of cancers.

So, get on board now with your entry into one of the most unique charity sailing regattas in Australia and start fundraising for a great cause.

Some points to note about this year’s event:

·We have moved it to later in the year – November 16/17 when we hope the weather will be kinder to us

· It is scheduled on a weekend closest to a full moon - hopefully making the 12 and 24 hour races a little more comfortable.

·The Start boat will be Solar Sailor and for the first time, the start will be a la Hobart with a canon to get you on your way.

·The course will be reversed so that spectators will get plenty of photo opportunities – first seeing the boats start and heading towards Speers Point, and then a second time as they come back down past the start and head down to the other end of Lake Macquarie.

· Family and friends will be able to board Solar Sailor for a 4 hour cruise involving the start, and many photo opportunities as boats start and pass the start area for a second time. The cruise will also include a multi course cocktail menu - $60/head with profits going to the Heaven Can Wait charities. Tickets for the Start boat cruise will be on sale this week at the RMYC Toronto.

·Don’t forget we will also have the pre race dinner on the Friday night at the RMYC Toronto, and as always it will be wow night with the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of our sailing superstars. At this year’s dinner, we already have Leisl Tesch – winner of a gold medal at the London Paralympics and we are currently working on another 1-2 high performance yachties to also be in attendance. Tickets for the pre race dinner are on sale at the RMYC Toronto - $50 / head.

·We have had a change in the interviewer for our Friday night pre race dinner. I am pleased to be able to advise that Mark Rothfield – Communication Manager for the Hunter Medical Research Institute and former journalist and boating columnist for the Newcastle Herald, will be the guest interviewer at the pre race dinner.